Today's Obsessions

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• 9 Things to Do Besides Watching TV …
• 8 Lovely Gifts for His Folks …
• 7 Things To Know About Organic Beauty …
• 7 Items you Should Never Be Without …
• 7 Signs That Your Skin Needs More Care …
• 7 Printed Purses to Get Your Hands On …
• 7 Fun Activities for Children …
• 7 People You Need in Your Circle of Friends …
• 8 Best Selling Books Originally Rejected by Publishers …
• 7 Things It’s Okay for Men to Do …
• 7 Nail Care Tips …
• 7 Handyman Jobs that I should know …
• 7 Great Cat Toys …
• 7 Reasons I Can’t Wait for Spring …
• 10 Great Things to Make for St. Patrick’s Day …
• Pepsi Unveils 100% Eco-Friendly Bottles…
• Alyssa Milano’s Having a Boy!

9 Things to Do Besides Watching TV … Posted: 16 Mar 2011 11:49 AM PDT I confess, I can be something of a couch potato. I call it "research," but really I just like reality TV trainwrecks – and House. Still, it’s important not to stay glued to the boob tube all the time, as it were. Instead, here are 9 things to do besides watching TV that can pique your interest. 1. Reading I love reading more than anything. If there’s anything I can spend my time doing, it will be reading a book. You can enter into new worlds when you read a book, and most of them are a million times more interesting than anything you can find on the television. Besides, they’re more stimulating, because you actually have to interact with a good book – it doesn’t do all the work for you. 2. Listening to Music Sometimes, it’s so relaxing just to lay back, listen to some music, and let yourself float free. You don’t need to do anything else but listen to the rhythms. Not only is it relaxing and able to relieve stress, but music is so inspiring, at least to me. It can stimulate you and make you want to do all kinds of different, creative things. 3. Bicycling I love riding a bicycle, and I’m so glad I now live somewhere that lends itself well to bicycling. It’s safe, you can get just about anywhere you want to go, and it’s great exercise. It’s been too cold lately to do much in the way of bike riding, but I know as soon as it warms up, I’ll be able to spend hours on a bike.

8 Lovely Gifts for His Folks … Posted: 16 Mar 2011 11:47 AM PDT It's the age old dilemma – choosing a gift for his folks. Everyone's situation is different, and choosing the right gift will require knowledge of the recipient's interests. If I'm unsure about choosing a personalised gift, I tend to stick to homewares and general knick knacks. The following are a few gift ideas to cover a range of occasions. 1. Crate and Barrel Maganda Vase Price: $29.95 at crateandbarrel.com This earthy looking vase would make a lovely gift. It features a wraparound design and would complement a range of different household décor. It's made from grained acacia wood and is completely watertight. This would look great both indoors and outdoors. 2. Kate Spade Two of a Kind Glasses Price: $50.00 at shop.nordstrom.com Win his parents over with this set of engraved 'his' and 'hers' glasses. The lettering is casual but classy. They're a highball design and made from non-lead crystal. It's a simple yet thoughtful gift idea. 3. Crate and Barrel Bellamy Carafe Price: $26.95 at crateandbarrel.com This handblown carafe is sleek and modern. If his parents enjoy the odd glass of wine, then this may just be the gift to give. This carafe is made from handblown and molded glass, and has a fire-polished rim. I'm sure his parents would appreciate the design of this carafe. Extra points for gifting a bottle of wine to go with it!

7 Things To Know About Organic Beauty … Posted: 16 Mar 2011 11:08 AM PDT Beauty is a controversial subject, to say the least. What is beauty to you? Is it plastic surgery every six months? Is it tons of makeup every day? Is it the most chic of hairstyles? For me, it natural, organic beauty. Every woman, no matter what her age, size, or shape is, is a beautiful person. God made each of us different and unique. In this article, we will explore some facts about some natural, organic beauty products, and some natural beauty tips! 1. You Should Use Organic Products Nature has provided us with all the tools we need to take care of our bodies. Using natural products to take care of your skin can actually make your skin healthier, since there are so many chemicals in things we buy today. Use 100% natural cheesecloth to cleanse your face with. You can use it for a couple days, then get a new piece. You will use this with the following recipe for skin cleansers! 2. Natural Cleansers are Best Here is a lovely recipe for a facial cleanser that is suitable for all skin types. You can use it on your entire body if you like! 1/4 oz (5 g) beeswax 1/2 cup (100 mL) grape seed oil 2/3 cup (120 mL) distilled or spring water 1/2 tsp borax powder 12 drops rosemary essential oil (optional) 8 drops lavender essential oil (optional) 5 drops orange essential oil (optional) Place the beeswax and the grape seed oil in a heatproof measuring cup in a recently boiled saucepan of water. Stir occasionally until the wax has melted entirely into the oil. Remove from the heat and let it cool to body temperature. Next, warm the distilled or spring water to body temperature and dissolve the 1/2 tsp of borax powder in it. Pour the wax and oil mixture into a bowl and add the water and borax mixture a little at a time, beating it with a hand-held mixer until it reaches a creamy, thick consistency (this should take about five minutes to reach the right consistency.) If you want to add the essential oils, do so now. Stir the mixture until the oils have blended thoroughly.

7 Items you Should Never Be Without … Posted: 16 Mar 2011 11:02 AM PDT Modern women lead hectically busy lives, and we need to be ready for whatever the day throws at us. Over a few years I've developed a foolproof list of necessities to carry with me to make sure I can cope with all the common pitfalls of work, school and even romance. Along with the boring essentials like wallet, keys and phone, I have a whole range of staple items that live in my (enormous) handbag. So girls, if you're caught out too often without something you really need; read on. This post will show you how to be prepared for anything! 1. Baby Wipes Especially in summer ladies, baby wipes can save your life –or at least your meeting! Find some that are impregnated with moisturiser to avoid that shiny, just-been-scrubbed look and store them in your handbag or car glove compartment so that, wherever you are, spillage, sweat and smudged make-up are problems easily solved. 2. Lip Balm Photo Credit: hukes Not gloss girls, balm. Chapped, raw lips can become aggravated pretty fast and there's nothing worse than finding yourself stuck without relief. Most cosmetic glosses and lipsticks will only make the problem worse so, girls, get yourself a soothing lip moisturiser, preferably with a beeswax base or similar, to ensure your pout looks and feels great at all times. 3. Plasters Image source: data.whicdn.com Just a little career tip, girls, to help you make a good impression: As well as being extremely useful if you happen to cut your own finger, studies have shown that plasters also give your working reputation a subtle boost. Being able to hand out band-aids to colleagues –or even bosses – who have cut themselves, instantly makes you look mature, organised and responsible.

7 Signs That Your Skin Needs More Care … Posted: 16 Mar 2011 11:01 AM PDT Have you ever wondered which is the largest organ is in the human body? Going by the surface area, it has to be the skin. It is also the most exposed. Just like every other organ in the body, it needs its share of care and attention to be healthy as well as beautiful. Unhealthy skin can lead to a variety of problems. Here is a list of signs that your skin needs more care and you ought to pay heed to them. 1. Blotchy or uneven skin Your skin reflects your inner health. Blotchy or uneven skin is usually a result of malnourished, dehydrated or overtired body. You will need to give yourself sufficient rest, proper sleep, healthy food and lots of water to clear blotchy or uneven skin. 2. Acne Acne is one of the most obvious signs that your skin needs more care. In teens, acne may be caused by hormonal changes, but they may also be caused by buildup of bacteria under the skin, overproduction of oil in the skin glands and irregular shedding of dead skin. The best option is to see a dermatologist for proper diagnosis and treatment. 3. Dry and Flaky Skin A lot of people have dry skin naturally, but when skin suddenly becomes dry and small white flakes begin to peel and fall off, it is one of the sure signs that your skin needs more care. Dry, flaky skin may be caused by a number of environmental factors or by other serious conditions like psoriasis or thyroid disorder.

7 Printed Purses to Get Your Hands On … Posted: 16 Mar 2011 10:49 AM PDT Purses are handy things to have. I like them to be a bit quirky – a bit of a statement maker, if you wish. Prints are a great way to do this. Below are just a few printed purses that you may want to get your hands on. 1. Topshop Alphabet Purse Price: $12.00 at us.topshop.com This is such an adorable purse! I love the printed alphabet letters on the front. The cream and black colour combination is quite stylish. The best part about this purse is that you can pick one with your initial on it! 2. Red or Dead Envelope Printed Purse Price: $26.90 at asos.com Envelope themed items are definitely on-trend. This vinyl purse by Red or Dead is no exception. It features a stylised envelope print on the front, zip closure on top, and a handy purse compartment on the reverse side. Store your coins and maybe even a few love letters in this little purse! 3. Asos Leather and Leopard Print Clutch Price: $116.55 at asos.com I think a touch of leopard print is the perfect addition to any outfit. Do it in style with this lovely leopard print clutch. It features a contrasting leather flap as well as a gold-tone turnlock fastening. It's perfect for day and night.

7 Fun Activities for Children … Posted: 16 Mar 2011 10:42 AM PDT Are you looking for something to keep the kids entertained? My kids are old enough that they can come up with things to do on their own, which is usually easy since they enjoy hanging out with friends more than anything. If you have little kids who are always saying they are bored or you are looking for something fun that will be new for them to do, then take a look at the following list. Here are 7 fun activities for children that you can do with them. Some are indoors and some are better for outdoors. 7. Bake and decorate cookies A simple sugar cookie dough recipe is actually a form of cheap fun for kids. If you aren’t the baking type or can’t find a good recipe for sugar cookie dough, there are cookie mixes at the grocery store that only require a couple of eggs, some oil, and a little bit of water. Buy a couple of containers of sprinkles and let the kids have a blast. 6. Pick out and plant seeds You don’t have to have a huge yard to plant a garden. Kids can grow herbs in any size of container; old yogurt cups, egg cartons, Styrofoam trays, or a chipped teapot. This can easily be an all day activity. If you don’t want to take the kids out to buy seeds, then see what you have at home already. Dried beans can be planted and kids have fun watching the plants grow, even if they aren’t interested in eating what the plant produces later on. 5. Make pillows Having a sewing machine might be handy, but it isn’t necessary. You can cut the legs off of an old pair of pants, hem one end, allow the kids to add some pillow stuffing or wadded up old material, and then sew the other end closed to make a tiny pillow. A no-sew approach is to cut two squares of the same size out of fleece, cut 3 inch long strips all around the edge of each square, and then tie the two squares together while leaving a small opening to add stuffing to the pillow through. Kids can easily tie the edges to form the pillow and they like being able to make the pillow all on their own.

7 People You Need in Your Circle of Friends … Posted: 16 Mar 2011 10:32 AM PDT You have probably heard the saying that "friends are a dime a dozen." The real truth is that a friend is one whose value exceeds any price. True friends are there when life is at its worst. Every person needs a circle of friends they can call on when the going gets tough. But, who makes up this circle of friends? Following is a list of the friends you need to complete your circle. 1. A Listener There are times when you as a person just need to be heard; a time to vent and let all things bottled up inside loose. A listener friend will always listen to you no matter what. We all need sounding board, and we all need to be a sounding board at times too. 2. A Comedian No question laughter does the heart good. And when you are sad or depressed, laughter is always the best medicine. Make sure you have a friend in your circle who will make you laugh, and bring a little levity to any situation. You might even notice that you have a lot more than one comedian in your group, and that’s fantastic! 3. An Encourager An encourager is someone who will always help you find the silver lining in those dark stormy days that sometimes is just life. They are the brightest optimist of the group. Or maybe you’re the optimist and encourager of your circle?

8 Best Selling Books Originally Rejected by Publishers … Posted: 16 Mar 2011 09:36 AM PDT Sometimes publishers just don’t know what they hold in their hands. A variety of things can make them change their mind, whether it’s sudden attention on the internet, from a celebrity, or another publisher. Either way, you’d be amazed at how many books that went on to be best sellers were initially told they would never sell. I’m not saying they’re necessarily great books or anything, but these 8 best selling books originally rejected by publishers might well surprise you. 1. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle Price: $6.99 at amazon.com This is actually a great book – and it was rejected 26 times before Farrar, Straus, and Giroux snatched it up, having recognized it for the gem it is. This is no longer just a book, but one which adults find magical as well. I can’t imagine it not existing in the world, really. 2. Auntie Mame by Patrick Dennis Price: $10.20 at amazon.com I was stunned to discover that this was initially rejected. I mean, not only is it a fantastic story, but it is one of the best musical’s ever. It was rejected 15 times before being published by Vanguard Press, though, and now it’s also a fantastic movie. I guess you really do just have to take every rejection in stride. 3. Chicken Soup for the Soul by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen Price: $7.99 at amazon.com Like I said, I didn’t say these were all great books. But that’s not fair, I know the Chicken Soup books help a lot of people. All the same, the authors were told their book was completely unpublishable – and since it got 140 rejections, evidence pointed to the truth of that statement. Thanks to Health Communications, however, the book itself is a huge seller and there are 65 other titles in the series.

7 Things It’s Okay for Men to Do … Posted: 16 Mar 2011 09:24 AM PDT I have written for this blog for a very long time now – I have pages and pages of blogs and I write some stuff for men every now and then. I know, this blog site is full of women, but believe me, from time to time, I get men who come to Allwomenstalk – I know this because I have gotten many men add me to Facebook. When I ask how they found me – they tell me through the blog site I write for. So, I am going to go with that and do some blogs here and there for men – hope you don't mind, ladies. Men grow up thinking that they shouldn't do certain things. Well, I am hear to tell you that it is okay to do certain things. Let me give you 7 things it's okay for men to do … 7. It's Okay to Be Honest Even if it makes your self confidence low, it is okay to be honest. So, if you are a virgin, don't be afraid to admit it – there is nothing to be ashamed with. It just means that you have not found the right girl for you yet. 6. It's Okay to Wash with Your Girls Body Wash You might step out of the shower smelling like Gardenia or some other sweet flower, but I think that it's sexy. It's okay to use your girls body wash. 5. It's Okay for Men to Shave Down there. I am going to be open with you on this one. There is nothing wrong with shaving your pubic hair. Does shaving everything down there make me any less of a woman? Nope. By shaving that hair down south, it does not make you any less of a man. Besides, some women actually like it.

7 Nail Care Tips … Posted: 16 Mar 2011 09:09 AM PDT People often think it isn't necessary maintain well-groomed nails, unless you are a hand model or have a job that requires people to look at your nails all the time. You might not realize that people look at your nails quite often. Whether you have polished nails or just need tips no maintaining them, you might find these 7 nail care tips useful. 7. Don't push cuticles down I don't know how many people insist on pushing their cuticles down. This is actually an excellent way to get a fungal infection in your fingernail bed. They can be trimmed off after soaking your hand in a warm soapy solution, but never shove the cuticles down towards the bottom of the nail. It's actually best to leave them alone all together. 6. File in one direction Go from the corner to the center of the nail to file. I remember filing my nails as a kid. I'd watched my mom give herself a manicure and thought that filing nails consisted of simply see-sawing a file across the end of them. Granted, I was only 5 or 6 at the time, which means I probably wasn't as observant as I should have been. I continued to see-saw my nails until my teenage years. It wasn't until my mom was in the same room once when I was performing this 'sawing' of my nails that she flipped. She instructed me on the correct way to file my nails so that I didn't damage them. She went to school for that kind of stuff, so I took her word for it! 5. Use a base and a top coat to make polish last longer A base coat will help the nail polish stick to your finger nail, while the top coat will keep the polish from chipping off as easily. I like to apply a couple of layers of top coat if I get in the mood to paint my nails. Working outside really does a number on polished nails, however, lots of layers and a great top coat can stand up to just about anything.

7 Handyman Jobs that I should know … Posted: 16 Mar 2011 09:06 AM PDT I have found that getting a handyman to do just one or two small jobs around the house can be extremely difficult. Either you end up paying through your nose or you have to wait until you have a long enough list of jobs to entice a handyman to come to your house. That is why I have come up with a list of handyman jobs that I should know. 1. Fixing minor leaks Minor leaks tend to spring up around the house every once in a while. Unless it looks like a large project that involves tinkering with the layout of water pipes around the house, fixing minor leaks is surely one of the handyman jobs that I should know. It will certainly help save a number of rugs and carpets in the kitchen and bathrooms. 2. Changing bulbs around the house It is true that many of us have light fixtures that are too high up on the wall or on the ceiling and need a little bit of effort to reach. Also, modern light fixtures make it rather difficult to change the light bulbs within. However, every time a bulb goes out, I wish I didn't need to call a handyman to change it. 3. Replacing light fixtures Similar to the problem of replacing fused or broken light bulbs, replacing light fixtures is one of the handyman jobs I should know. It will certainly save me a lot of money every time I decide to change the light fixtures in my house.

7 Great Cat Toys … Posted: 16 Mar 2011 08:06 AM PDT If you have a cat, you already know how insanely they love some of their toys. They leap in the air, flip around on the floor, and hunt them, complete with cute butt wiggles. If you've never seen your kitty do any of these things, maybe you're not using the right toys! A bored kitty won't do any of these, and it's just too adorable to miss… so here are 7 great cat toys, sure to make even the most arrogant kitty go bananas! 1. Bergan TurboScratcher Cat Toy Price: $8.99 to $15.99 at petsmart.com Kitty will love this toy, with its scratchy surface (perfect for softening and sharpening her claws) and its little track and ball. It also includes catnip, for added kitty love. It measure 16 inches across, and only 2 inches tall, so it's easy to store when kitty's not using it. 2. A-Doorable Plush Bird Cat Toy Price: $3.99 at petsmart.com This cute yellow bird is my kitty's favorite toy! You just hang it over any doorframe and watch the birdie swing… and watch kitty pounce! It's adjustable, so you can raise it for active kitties or let it swing a little lower for lazier cats. So much fun to watch! 3. ToyShoppe® Catnip Mice Price: $9.99 at petsmart.com A dozen teensy mice filled with top-quality catnip — I've never known a kitty who didn't love these! Toss one in the air, and watch as kitty leaps to catch it. Or throw it on the floor and watch as she stalks it, then pounces. Use one at a time, since you know these will likely end up under the refrigerator or sofa.

7 Reasons I Can’t Wait for Spring … Posted: 16 Mar 2011 07:11 AM PDT It's the middle of winter here in Michigan right now, and I don't think I can take another six weeks of this weather. It's freezing, literally, with more snow than I've seen in years, and the air is so dry, my skin and hair can't take any more. I just can't wait for spring, and here's why! 1. Flowers! Right now, on the spots of the ground that aren't covered in ten inches of snow, all you can see is withered brown grass or frozen earth. I can't wait for spring, when the snow melts, the ground thaws, and the grass and flowers grow back! The first faint peep of a purple crocus is my tell-tale first sign of spring, and I can't wait to see one! 2. Fashions As much as I love wearing skinny jeans, I can't wait for spring so I can start wearing skirts and dresses without my snow pants. Short sleeves, light fabrics, floaty floral prints… these are the true harbingers of spring in my view! 3. Warmth Right now, I'm wearing a bra, tank, thermal, and cardigan, with jeans and leggings. And I'm still chilly! I can't wait for spring so I can go a day without being frozen for at least an hour. I want to be able to walk outside without my nose hairs freezing when I inhale!

10 Great Things to Make for St. Patrick’s Day … Posted: 15 Mar 2011 10:50 PM PDT Any day is a great day to make, craft, create. But a holiday is a great motivation to get your craft on. So I have gathered here great things to make for St. Patrick’s Day. Hope these bring you more luck! 1. Homemade Leprechaun Spirits This is a fun project brought to us be Design*Sponge. You will need miniature bottles of liquors and these adorable printable alcohol labels. I am loving the vintage-y effect of these labels. 2. Shamrock Headband Very cute! Too bad I don’t have felt in these colors. If you’re luckier than me when it comes to felt selection, I suggest that you give this project a go. The most special little girl in your life will love it! 3. Lucky Vanilla Cupcakes Of course, baked goods are included in this list of great things to make for St. Patrick’s Day. Not only will this recipe make your mouth water, you will also be blown away with the gorgeous photos. Don’t forget to make the U-shaped melted chocolates. You can’t bake lucky vanilla cupcakes without a horseshoe, can’t you? 4. Green Candied Popcorn Oh how I love popcorn so! This recipe is making me wish that I have an uncooked pack in my pantry. Alas, I don’t so I will just stay here, jealous, while you go on and make your green candied batch. 5. Clover Place Cards If you’re having a fancy dinner or party come St. Patrick’s Day, these place cards are what you need for that, well, St. Patrick’s feel. I love the use of actual clover but I must confess that I am crushing on these teeny pots. So cute!

Pepsi Unveils 100% Eco-Friendly Bottles… Posted: 15 Mar 2011 06:11 PM PDT Whether you’re a fan of Pepsi or Coke, you have to admit: the plastic bottles they both come in can pose a threat to our environment. But from today forward, that’s not necessarily true — Pepsi has launched a new bottle for their soda, one made entirely from plant-based, fully renewable resources. How cool is that? Some of the ingredients used to make the new “green” bottle include switch grass, pine bark and corn husks, and in the fututre, Pepsi even plans to use food products that normally end up in landfills, like orange peels, potato peels, oat hulls, all from their food products division. Pepsi will pilot the new bottles in 2012, and if the pilot goes as planned, they’ll launch full-scale soon after. Way to go Pepsi! This is great news for our environment… I wonder what else they can do to make their products and packaging more eco-friendly? Source: Pepsico Media

Alyssa Milano’s Having a Boy! Posted: 15 Mar 2011 05:58 PM PDT It’s official — Alyssa Milano and her husband, David Bugliari, are having a boy! “Charmed” actress Milano announced the sex of their first child on her website tonight: As fun as it was reading all of your gender predictions on Twitter, I'm really bad at keeping secrets and had to share (not to mention, I was bound to unintentionally slip at some point). David and I are elated to announce that we are having a baby boy. We can't wait to meet him. She’s also soliciting ideas for boy’s names… I vote for Liam or Sam! Congratulations to Alyssa and David! Stay tuned…

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